Alexandria, VA—To help launch their careers as clinical oncologists, four young physicians will each receive $50,000 from two of the leading cancer organizations in the U.S., the ASCO Cancer Foundation® and Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.
Today’s announcement is part of a $10 million collaboration between ASCO and Komen for the Cure designed to improve the quality of cancer care in this country.
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure/ASCO Cancer Foundation Research Initiative will fund these four Young Investigator Awards. Each recipient will be awarded a one-year, $50,000 grant to fund his or her research studies as they begin their careers in clinical oncology. The awards are presented to physicians in their final year of a fellowship program or in their first year post-fellowship.
The awardees will then use the funding for oncology or in the health services community or to support research projects related to the quality, access and delivery of cancer care, with general applicability to breast cancer.
“ASCO is committed to supporting clinical investigators early in their careers by encouraging and rewarding their development of promising research initiatives,” said Joseph S. Bailes, MD, chair of The ASCO Cancer Foundation Board of Directors.
“If we’re to realize our commitment of finding cures for breast cancer and ridding the world of it, we need to support the next generation of physicians and researchers,” said Diana Rowden, Komen vice president of Health Sciences. “This award helps marshal the energy of these exceptional young investigators.”
The 2009 recipients are:
Tiffany Avery, MD, MPH
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center The Role of Adipocytokines in Breast Cancer Disparities
Mandira Ray, MD
The University of Chicago A Paired Patient and Physician Survey-Based Approach to Understanding Minority Enrollment Patterns in Cancer Clinical Trials
Veena Shankaran, MD
Northwestern University The Out-of-Pocket Costs and Burden for Medicare-Eligible Cancer Patients and their Caregivers
Alexi Wright, MD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Intensive Care among Advanced Care Patients and End-of-Life: Clinical Correlates and Quality of Life Outcome
The Research Initiative capitalizes on The ASCO Cancer Foundation’s 25 years of experience with its grants program, which is one of the largest among professional medical societies and funds leading clinical oncologists across a broad range of specialties from around the world. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded nearly 700 grants totaling more than $55 million, including $6.1 million awarded this year, that have helped to transform the way cancer is prevented, detected and treated.
About The ASCO Cancer Foundation
As the charitable arm of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), The ASCO Cancer Foundation funds research, education and cancer care programs both in the U.S. and abroad. By harnessing the knowledge of ASCO’s 27,000 oncology professionals, we help deliver physician-approved information directly to those in need. Through these efforts, we improve the lives of those affected by cancer.
About ASCO
ASCO is the world's leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With more than 27,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. For ASCO information and resources, visit www.asco.org/presscenter. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at www.cancer.net.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, we have invested more than $1.3 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.
